LEGO Pokémon Pikachu compared to Mega's jumbo Pikachu

LEGO Pokémon's huge Pikachu build has drawn mixed reactions for its appearance, with many comparing it to Mega's jumbo model.

Before the LEGO Group held the license for Pokémon construction sets, the media franchise had a home at Mattel's Mega, with plenty of similarities between the companies' offerings. Most notable is the different approaches to recreating Pokémon's electric mascot.

The LEGO Group's first Pikachu set was compared to Mega's motion-based Pikachu model in a Brick Fanatics video shortly following the reveal, but there's a similar comparison to be made with Mega's Jumbo Pikachu figure, as well.

There's no escaping the fact that the LEGO Group's Pikachu is more than triple the cost of Mega's jumbo figure, but it includes a nearly equivalent number of elements thanks to the side-builds. That level of display-value helps to set the LEGO Group's Pikachu apart from Mega's model, opting for a static head designed specifically for the leaping pose. This, therefore, means that LEGO Pikachu has fewer gaps between the body and neck, as we see on the creature in-game.

Mega's Pikachu is much more posable by comparison, with movement in the head, tail and limbs. LEGO Pikachu can only move its tail and limbs, with the back feet only moving up and down, whereas those of Mega Pikachu can come to the front of its body in a sitting pose.

LEGO Pikachu is far less posable than Mega's Pikachu, but boasts higher accuracy as a result. There are fewer gaps and better proportions in the LEGO set overall, showing that the LEGO Group was willing to sacrifice the play potential for the sake of display. It's telling that 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball is aimed at enthusiasts 18 and older, while Mega Jumbo Pikachu is targeted at ages eight and up.

Mega's Pikachu costs three times less than 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball, according to the RRP of each product. Mega Pikachu manages to be lower priced because of its smaller piece count, since it doesn't have a display stand and additional Poké Ball. Early reactions to these first LEGO Pokémon sets criticised the implementation of display stands in two of the three sets, ultimately increasing the piece count and prices.

Notably, 72151 Eevee has no such stand, costing £54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99 for 587 pieces. This figure is 19cm tall, while Mega Pikachu is 32cm when standing up. Eevee is only 30cm tall in the games, while Pikachu is 41cm. It's surprising to see that these two sets from different companies are so closely scaled to one another. 72151 Eevee is much smaller than the other LEGO Pokémon sets revealed this week, but a group shot from the trailer showcases that it's ultimately not that much smaller than the other figures minus their display stands, despite being much more affordable.

It suggests that the display stands are a driving force behind the higher prices compared to the Mega sets, but it's important to remember that this first wave of LEGO sets is designed for an adult audience. Mega's only 18+ Pokémon model was Ash & Pikachu: Path to Victory, costing £120 / $129.99 for 1,576 pieces, comparing more closely to the likes of the LEGO Group's 18+ Pokémon sets.

Mega's lack of an 18+ Pikachu set stops any perfect comparison between the LEGO Group and Mega's offerings, since the Jumbo Pikachu build was designed for a much different audience than the initial trio of LEGO Pokémon sets. It will be interesting to return to compare again when the LEGO Group has further filled out the Pokémon range, ideally with non-18+ models.

Both 72151 Eevee and 72152 Pikachu and Poké Ball are available to pre-order ahead of February 27, but 72153 Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise has sold through its pre-order stock after just 24 hours.

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